PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF ANTI-EPILEPTIC DRUGS IN IN-PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY AT A TERTIARY CARE CENT

*Dr. Divya Amaravadi and Dr. S. Jaypal Reddy

ABSTRACT

Background: Epilepsy is a clinical condition of recurrent spontaneous seizures arising from aberrant electrical activity within the brain. The ideal goal in the management of epilepsy is complete control with minimal side effects. Objectives: To study and analyze the pattern and usage of AEDs at a tertiary care hospital. To observe side effects of AEDs and to identify and document common and least common AED in Neuro care unit. Methodology: It is a single centre prospective observational study done for a period of six months at Sai Krishna super speciality neuro care and poly trauma hospital located at Hyderabad. Study enrolled 70 patients having epilepsy. Patient data collected from the cases as demographical data, type of epilepsy, comorbid conditions and AEDs used in patients. Results: 68.5% were male and 31.4% were female. Maximum patients were of the age group 34-43 years. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) observed to be the most commonly occurring seizure in 55.7% patients. Intravenous administration was the common route of administration in 48.5% patients. Mono-therapy treatment pattern was the preferred choice of therapy in most patients. Significantly, Levetiracetam (newer AED) were found to be the commonly prescribed AED at the study site. Ischaemic stroke was the commonly occurring comorbidity with epilepsy. Conclusion: GTCS was most common type of seizure. Levetiracetam was more prescribed. Care should be taken while prescribing poly-therapy which may lead to drug related problems. Therefore patient education and observation were necessary for proper utilization of drugs.

Keywords: Epilepsy, AEDs, mono-therapy and GTCS.